District 3 Commissioner

District 3 Serves:City of Park Rapids lying east of US Hwy 71;Townships of Badoura, Crow Wing Lake, Hubbard, Straight River, and White Oak

Both of Tom’s parents were born and raised on farms in the Cold Spring, Minnesota area. With his father being employed by the Veterans Administration, Tom’s family made a number of transfers while growing up. Born in Pennsylvania, Tom also lived in Michigan, Illinois, Connecticut, and then Indiana, where he graduated from High School in 1970. After high school, Tom joined the Navy and became a parachute rigger. Following his discharge from active duty, he received a degree in forestry from Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in Tifton, Georgia. After graduation, Tom began his working career with International Paper Company at their forest research center in Bainbridge, Georgia. In his work, Tom assisted a forest geneticist in breeding southern pines for faster growth, straightness, and disease resistance.

It was in Bainbridge where Tom met and married his Florida born and raised wife, Joyce. From his youth, Tom’s family took annual vacations to Minnesota. It was these trips that nurtured a love for the lakes and woods of the northland and created in him a desire to one day make a move to Minnesota. In 1989, they made that move, to the Twin Cities first. Then, in 1990, they purchased Sunny Point Resort on 2nd Crow Wing Lake. In 1991, Tom and Joyce adopted their son, Jeff, who was on the Minnesota Children’s waiting list. They now have 3 grandsons. Over the years, Tom updated and completely transformed the property by replacing all of the old cabins with new ones. The resort has since been converted to a residential planned unit development, where Tom and Joyce currently reside. In 2012, he became a licensed realtor and began working for a local realtor, selling not only his own units, but other properties as well. Tom left the real estate business in 2017, settling into a semi-retired life as care taker for the Sunny Point Home Owner’s Association.

Tom was first appointed to the Hubbard County Planning Commission, which is now combined with the Board of Adjustment, in 1999. On numerous occasions, Tom has chaired this board. Tom believes in transparent government. Everyone should have a voice on issues or concerns that affect them. Open lines of communication get things done right. Attend a Board meeting, or if you prefer, email or call me.